President Asif Ali Zardari stated that Pakistan’s recent action against Afghanistan is based on its fundamental right to protect its citizens from terrorism originating beyond its borders, taken after repeated warnings were ignored.
According to the press release, the President stated that it is deeply troubling that the de facto authorities in Kabul, a regime not recognised by the United Nations, have continued to allow terrorist groups to operate from Afghan territory, in breach of their commitments under the Doha Agreement, which assured that Afghan soil would not be used against any country.
Referring to his statement of 8 February 2026, the President recalled that Pakistan had cautioned the international community that “when terrorist groups are allowed space, facilitation or impunity beyond national borders, the consequences are borne by innocent civilians all over the world.”
He had also stated that Pakistan takes strong exception to the situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime has created conditions similar to or worse than pre-9/11.
He noted that the most recent report of the United Nations Security Council Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team has reinforced Pakistan’s long-standing position. The report states:
“A wide range of Member States consistently report that ISIL-K, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party (ETIM/TIP), Jamaat Ansarullah, Ittihad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, and others are present in Afghanistan. Some groups have used or are continuing to use Afghanistan to plan and prepare external attacks.”
The President noted that the United Nations’ assessment clearly indicates that the presence and activities of these groups present grave security threats to neighbouring countries, including Pakistan.
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